New Breast Cancer Research: Researchers Find Biomarkers in Breast Milk Protein
This is why breast cancer research matters. This is why clinical trials matter. “In a small study, a researchers have identified protein biomarkers for breast cancer using breast milk, a discovery that they believe is the first step towards developing a simple blood test to screen patients faster and more easily,” as stated on the CTV website. And to all the researchers out there, Thank you for the work you continue to do.
Highlights from the article
The research, which is being presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting during the Experimental Biology 2022 conference this week, compared the breast milk of three women with breast cancer to milk from three who did not have any breast cancer.
They found that between the two sets of samples, there were 23 proteins that differed and all of them were proteins that had been previously linked to cancer or tumour development.
“If our future studies are successful, it could change how women are monitored for breast cancer and aid in earlier diagnosis,” Whitham said. “This could even lead to a higher survival rate in women.”
Isolating biomarkers to look for puts them closer to developing a blood test that could be taken easily to screen for breast cancer, the researchers note.
The set of biomarkers that researchers identified only apply to one type of breast cancer: invasive duct carcinoma (IDC), which is one of the most common types.
But researchers believe that as they research further, they could uncover more biomarkers for other types of breast cancer.
The next step is to replicate their results with a larger group of participants, in order to confirm the biomarkers. Any women producing breast milk who are interested in helping out with future studies are encouraged to reach out to donate samples.
The set of biomarkers that researchers identified only apply to one type of breast cancer: invasive duct carcinoma (IDC), which is one of the most common types.
The next step is to replicate their results with a larger group of participants, in order to confirm the biomarkers. Any women producing breast milk who are interested in helping out with future studies are encouraged to reach out to donate samples.
This is incredible news! If you’re a woman who is lactating and interested in helping out with future studies, please do so. Research is how we make cancer a thing of the past. Comment below and let me know one word that describes this news to you!
